First statement from the US after striking Yemen alongside the UK
White House National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby evaluated the recent strike on Yemen on the American channel MSNBC.
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Kirby stated that everyone knows Iran supports the Houthis, who continue their attacks in the Red Sea, and that Tehran must cease this support.
Following its bombing of certain Houthi targets in Yemen, the US administration declared that it "does not seek a conflict with Iran."
KIRBY SAID THE FOLLOWING:
"We are not looking to escalate, there is no reason for there to be an escalation beyond what has been happening over the last few days with the Houthis. They are the ones who have been escalating," commented Kirby, adding that they wish for shipping traffic in the Red Sea to return to normal.
In his statement yesterday, US President Joe Biden announced that American and British forces had struck certain Houthi targets in Yemen in retaliation for their attacks in the Red Sea.
Stating that the strikes were a direct retaliation for the Houthis' actions in the Red Sea, Biden noted that they responded with an international coalition to a series of attacks, the last of which occurred on January 9, in which the Houthis directly targeted American ships.
WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE RED SEA
The Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen began seizing commercial ships they claimed were affiliated with Israeli companies off the coast of Yemen on October 31, citing Israel's attacks on Gaza as the reason, and have also launched attacks on some with drones and missiles.
During this period, US forces have announced multiple times that they have shot down missiles and kamikaze drones launched from Yemen.
Following the Houthis' actions, numerous shipping companies decided to suspend their voyages in the Red Sea.
On December 18, the US announced the creation of a multinational "maritime task force" called "Operation Prosperity Guardian" with the participation of a group of countries, citing the threat to global maritime trade security.
On December 31, three Houthi speedboats attempting to seize a ship linked to Israel in the Red Sea were fired upon by US helicopters.
On January 10, the Houthis reported that a US ship was targeted in the Red Sea with missiles and kamikaze drones on the grounds that it was supporting Israel.
On January 11, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) adopted a resolution submitted by the US and Japan demanding an immediate end to the Houthis' attacks in the Red Sea.
Approximately 12 percent of global trade is conducted through the Suez Canal, which offers the shortest route between Europe and Asia by connecting the Mediterranean to the Red Sea.